Following in the footsteps of boxing icon Manny Paquiao, Nonito Donaire yesterday made Filipinos proud by claiming the vacant World Boxing Organization super bantamweight (Jr. featherweight), in a split decision against Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., in Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.

Donaire unleashed his power in the ninth round and knocked down Vazquez, who immediately stood up to show that he can withstand Donaire’s power punch.

Confident that Donaire dominated the 12-round fight, Filipinos who watched it in television via ABS-CBN Channel were surprised when one of the judges, Ruben Garcia, scored it 115-112 in favor of Vazquez. The two other judges, Levi Martinez an Don Trella had a similar tally at 117-110.

In a post-match interview, Donaire showed his bloodied left hand which he said, was hurt early in the bout when his punches landed on Vazquez.

Donaire adds the super bantamweight to his collection of world titles after reigning in the International Boxing Federation flyweight and World Boxing Council bantamweight.

The 12-round bout was on the undercard of the World Boxing Council middleweight title fight between unbeaten champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Marco Antonio Rubio.

Chavez Jr. stayed unbeaten as he retained his World Boxing Council middleweight title in a unanimous decision, 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113. From the ringside, his father, Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, watched his son claim  his latest boxing victory.

Meanwhile, it was a strong left uppercut followed by a left hook from Donaire that sent Vazquez to the canvass in the ninth round.

Earlier in the third round, the Filipino “Flash” made Vazquez feel his power as he unleashed a combination that rocked the Puerto Rican, who despite the blows, managed to come back strong in the middle rounds to make the fight exciting.

        Donaire admitted in his interviews, reported in the wires, that fighting a bigger opponent was tough as he could not find his rhythm. Hurting his left hand in the early rounds, he said, made it more difficult.

With his latest victory, Donaire, who also once held the World Boxing Association interim super flyweight championship, improved his record to 28 wins (18 knockouts) and one loss, while Vazquez fell to 21-2-1.

After Vazquez, Donaire will most likely fight against former WBO  super bantamweight champion Jorge Arceto, or Japan's WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka.*with reports from AFP

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